Development, Optimization, and Evaluation of New Gel Formulations with Cyclodextrin Complexes and Volatile Oils with Antimicrobial Activity
Alina Ionela Stancu,
Eliza Oprea,
Lia Mara Dițu,
Anton Ficai,
Cornelia-Ioana Ilie,
Irinel Adriana Badea,
Mihaela Buleandra,
Oana Brîncoveanu,
Mihaela Violeta Ghica,
Ionela Avram,
Cristina Elena Dinu Pîrvu,
Magdalena Mititelu
Affiliations
Alina Ionela Stancu
Department Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 1–7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Eliza Oprea
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalilor 1-3, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
Lia Mara Dițu
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalilor 1-3, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
Anton Ficai
Department Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 1–7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Cornelia-Ioana Ilie
Department Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 1–7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Irinel Adriana Badea
Department of Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 90–92 Panduri Street, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Buleandra
Department of Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 90–92 Panduri Street, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
Oana Brîncoveanu
National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies, 126A Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, 077190 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Violeta Ghica
Department of Physical and Colloidal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
Ionela Avram
MICROGEN Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Portocalilor 1-3, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
Cristina Elena Dinu Pîrvu
Department of Physical and Colloidal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
Magdalena Mititelu
Department of Clinical Laboratory and Food Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
This study aimed to develop and evaluate hydrogels containing a cyclodextrin complex with clove essential oil and other free volatile oils with antimicrobial properties (tea tree and rosemary essential oils), focusing on their pharmaco-technical and rheological characteristics. The formulations varied in the Carbopol 940 (a hydrophilic polymer) and volatile oils’ concentrations. Rheological analysis indicated that the gels displayed pseudoplastic behavior, with the flow index (n) values below 1, ensuring appropriate consistency and handling. The results showed that increasing the Carbopol concentration significantly enhanced the yield stress, consistency index, and viscosity, with gel B, containing 1% Carbopol, 1.5% tea tree essential oil, and 1.5% rosemary essential oil, demonstrating optimal stability and rheological properties. At the same time, the concentration of volatile oils was found to modulate the gels’ flow parameters, but their effect was less pronounced than that of the gel-forming polymer. Antimicrobial testing revealed that both gel B and gel E (containing 1% Carbopol, 2% tea tree essential oil, and 2% rosemary essential oil) exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida spp., with gel E showing superior efficacy against Candida tropicalis. The antimicrobial effects were likely influenced by the higher concentrations of tea tree and rosemary essential oils in gel E. Overall, the study demonstrates that the concentration of Carbopol 940 primarily determines the gel’s rheological behavior, while volatile oil concentration modulates antimicrobial effectiveness.
